Modular bracket system for window treatment

ABSTRACT

A bracket system for window dressing includes two brackets configured to be attached to an architectural member, such as a window well, a wall or a ceiling and receive the ends of window dressings. The brackets have edges adapted to receive a fascia designed to hide the window dressing. Preferably, the fascia has a front wall designed to snap onto the brackets and is sized so that it extends above the brackets to provide a neater and cleaner look. The fascia may be L-shaped with a vertical and a horizontal member and the brackets may be configured so that the horizontal member attaches either to the top or to the bottom of the brackets.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/962,042 filed Aug. 8, 2013, which in turn is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/228,764 filed Sep. 9, 2011, which in turn claims priority from Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/426,584, filed Dec. 23, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of Invention

This invention pertains to a bracket system for window treatments configured and structured to accept and support several window shades and other types of treatments.

B. Description of the Prior Art

Most window treatments consist of an elongated member that supports one or more decorative elements to cover a window, a door, some other openings, or purely for decorative purposes. Controls are added that are normally at least partially in, or attached to the elongated member and used to selectively, open or close the treatment and/or perform various other operations thereon.

The elongated member is mounted either within the opening or on a vertical wall just adjacent to the opening using various types of brackets. FIG. 1 shows an end view of a conventional elongated member having an end bracket 10 with a conventional L-shaped fascia 12 disposed between the end brackets (such as 10) and arranged to protect and hide various interior elements of the window treatment. The bracket 10 is formed with a plurality of holes 14 for mounting the bracket. The fascia 12 is made from a sheet of metal, plastic or other relatively light but strong material.

The bracket 10 holds a clutch mechanism 16 operated by a chain cord 20 having ends 20A, 20B. The clutch mechanism 16 includes a pulley 18 operated by a chain chord 20 having cord ends 20A, 20B pulling on one end 20A or the other 20B causes the pulley to rotate in one direction or another thereby performing a predetermined function for the window treatment

The fascia is made with a thin lip 22 bent inwardly. The bracket 10 is made with a corner opening 24 having at its front edge a tongue 26 sized and shaped to fit into the lip 22. The fascia 12 has a generally L-shaped cross-section with a major portion 30 terminating with lip 22 and a minor portion 32.

The window treatment is installed as follows. The bracket 10 and another similar bracket are mounted. The window treatment is mounted between the brackets. The fascia 12 is then positioned with its major portion being orientated essentially horizontally and the lip 22 is inserted into opening 24. The fascia 12 is then rotated around tongue 26 clockwise causing the minor portion 32 to come into contact with and snap unto bracket 10 reaching the position shown.

This arrangement has several disadvantages. First, a different-shaped bracket must be provided for each kind of window treatment. This can be expensive and problematical for small distributors who cannot be fiscally burdened by requiring them to carry a large number of different types of brackets. Second, in some instances, the bracket must be mounted on horizontal wall W (using some other openings that have been omitted in FIG. 1). However, as can be seen in FIG. 1, tong 26 has to be disposed below the wall W by several millimeters to accommodate the fascia 12 and allow it to be secured to the bracket. As a result, the upper-most edge of the fascia 12 is always slightly below and not flush with the wall W. This feature is found objectionable by many persons because it leaves a very narrow gap between the fascia 12 and the wall W which allows some light to be seen above the fascia that is not pleasing esthetically.

Furthermore, existing brackets in general are sized and constructed to accommodate only window dressings of certain preselected configurations, and must be customized for each configuration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the problems discussed above and provides solutions to solve the problems. More specifically, a bracket system is provided that includes two brackets receiving ends of a window dressing. The brackets have a generally rectangular or square base with two side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge. Some of the edges are provided with panels disposed perpendicularly to the base.

The system further includes a fascia that is preferably L-shaped with a vertical member and a horizontal member. In one embodiment of the invention, the vertical member is mounted on the brackets so that a small portion of the fascia extends above the bracket thereby providing a neater look by blocking light from passing through above the fascia. In another aspect of the invention, the panels or edges of the brackets are configured to accept the fascia in either a first configuration in which the horizontal part is on top of the brackets and a second configuration in which the fascia horizontal part is attached to the bottom of the brackets.

Plates may be mounted or attached to the brackets for accepting the ends of window shades. Adapters are attached to the plates, if necessary, various plates having different configurations to conform to or receive window dressings of different kinds. In some configuration, two or more parallel window dressings are supported by a single pair of brackets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an end view of a prior art window dressing and its end bracket;

FIG. 2 shows an orthogonal exploded view of a bracket system for a window treatment constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the bracket system;

FIG. 4 shows an end view of the bracket system;

FIG. 5 shows an elevational view of a bracket with a plate;

FIG. 5AA shows a side view of the plate;

FIG. 5BB shows a side view of the bracket;

FIG. 5A shows a side view of the facie for the bracket system;

FIG. 5B shows an elevational view of the bracket used in the system;

FIG. 5C shows top view of the bracket of FIG. 5B;

FIG. 6 shows a side sectional view of the fascia attached to a bracket;

FIG. 7 shows an enlarged side view of the fascia attached to the bracket;

FIG. 8 shows an orthogonal view of a bracket of FIGS. 2-5 supporting some of the components of a window covering;

FIG. 9 shows an orthogonal view of the invention configured to receive and support two window dressings attached to a single bracket;

FIG. 10 shows an orthogonal view of the some of the components of the window dressing of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 shows an orthogonal view of the invention configured to receive and support a window dressing having a large diameter;

FIG. 12 shows an orthogonal view of the invention configured with an adapter plate shaped to receive and support a motor-driven window dressing;

FIG. 13 shows an orthogonal view of the invention configured with an adapter having three holes;

FIG. 14 shows an alternate embodiment of the bracket having a plate three holes in a row;

FIG. 15 shows an alternate embodiment of the bracket receiving a clutch plate; and

FIG. 16 shows an alternate embodiment of the bracket receiving a plate adapted to receive a motorized window shade.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The major elements of bracket system constructed in accordance with this invention are shown in FIGS. 2-5B. The bracket system 100 includes two, preferably identical, end brackets 102, 104. The end brackets are 102, 104 preferably are made of a conventional metallic alloy using conventional techniques, such as stamping. Each end bracket includes a flat rectangular base 106 and three panels 108, 110, 112 disposed along three sides of the base 106. The fourth side has a tab 114. The three panels and the tab are substantially perpendicular to the base 106. Panels 108, 110 are preferably identical and the panel 112 is configured so that it is symmetrical about a vertical axis of the brackets 102, 104. The three panels have a plurality of slots and perforations as described in more detail below.

Attached to the two brackets is a fascia 116. As shown in detail in FIG. 5A, the fascia 116 is L-shaped and has two sections 118, 120. Section 118 is provided with an intermediate lip 122 shaped to form a channel 124. Section 120 is terminated with a tip 126 forming a channel 128. It should be understood that the dimensions of the lips 122 and 126 and channels 124 and 128 are somewhat exaggerated in FIG. 5A for the sake of clarity but in actuality there are shaped so that the channels are about the same cross-sectional width as the thickness of bracket 102 to form an interference therewith. The length of the fascia 116 is dependent on the width of the window dressing. Its total height HF is equal to H1+H2, where H1 is the distance from the free edge of section 118 to the lip 122. The fascia has a width W. The fascia 116 can be extruded aluminum or other similar material.

Details of the bracket 102 are shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Panel 110 is formed of three sections. Two of the sections 130, 134 are mirror images and include apertures 136 for mounting the brackets and to make the brackets lighter. The central section 132 has essentially the shape of an elongated tongue. Panel 110 has several dimensions that have special importance.

The distance between the side edge SE of section 132 and the outer surface of panel 108 is equally to the width W of fascia 116. The distance between side edge SE2 of section 134 and the outer surface of panel 108 is at least H1. The length of panel 108 is H2. The distance between the top edge TE of panel 102 and the outer surface of panel 110 is at least H1. The distance between the side edge SE3 of tab 114 and the outer surface of panel 108 is W. The distance between the bottom edge BE of panel 108 and the bottom surface of tab 114 is at least H1. As a result of these dimensions, the fascia 116 can be mounted on to the brackets 102, 104 in two configurations. In one configuration, the section 120 is attached to the bottom of the bracket as shown in FIG. 5A. In the second configuration, the section 120 is attached to the top of the bracket. In either case, the section 118 is attached to the panel 108 (or 112). Moreover, the portion 131 of section 118 extends vertically further then the panel 110 of bracket 102 by amount sufficient to insure that imperfections in the window seal or installing the bracket 102 slightly below the window seal does not result in a gap of light seen above the window dressing, For example, the portion 132 may exceed the top surface of section 110 by about 1/32-⅜. Moreover, the bracket and its panels are shaped so that fascia 116 is installed by first inserting its portion 131 into either zone Z or Y (see FIG. 5B) and then pivoting it to snap onto the brackets 102, 104. The final position of the facie is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

In addition, the plate 230 also has on one side a plurality of tabs 135 and on the other side a panel 137. As seen in FIG. 5AA, the panel 137 is formed of three sections 137A, 137B, 137C. Each tab 135 is shaped so that it is angled slightly to permit the plates 230 to be press-fit into the brackets 102, 104 with the tabs 135 engaging the inner surfaces of slots 113A, 113B, 113C (these slots are shown in FIG. 5BB) of section 108. Both sections 108 and 110 further include a slot 113D which is somewhat longer then the slots just described. Section 137B is bent slightly outwardly and is sized and shaped to engage slot 113D on section 110. In other words, panel 137 and tabs 135 cooperate to maintain the plate 230 in place within the bracket 102, 104.

Completing the system, there are two end caps 130 (shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4). Each end cap may be sized to cover one of the brackets 102, 104 and serve mostly a decorative purpose. On their inner surface, caps 130 may be provided with fingers 132 (FIG. 2) that form an interference fit with holes 134 to mount and keep the end caps 130 on the brackets. Typically, end caps may be about 5.12×5.14 in and may be molded plastic or other materials.

The sizes specified herein is particularly useful for various configurations, such as one large shade, two or more smaller shades, a shade with a clutch, a shade with a wound spring or other mechanisms. Various plates, adapters, etc. are mounted (temporarily or permanently) on the brackets to accommodate various sizes, numbers and types of window shades. This modular design allows the bracket system to be used in a large variety of uses and applications. The remaining figures show some exemplary configurations for the bracket system illustrating just some of the configurations that may be used to support various window coverings.

Getting back to FIG. 5, bracket 102 is shown with a plate 230 formed with a set of five slots and holes arranged to receive the ends of respective window coverings, either directly, or via adapters.

Each set includes a circular hole 240 and two rectangular slots 242 arranged on either side of the hole 240. This is a standard configuration and can be used to accept a window covering at each set of slots and holes. For example, in FIG. 5, adapters 140 are provided that mount on plates 230. The adapters are shaped and sized to receive and a standard clutch 144 at one end and a plain idler end (not shown) on the other bracket FIG. 8 shows an enlarged isometric view of the bracket 104 with a plate 230, an adapter 140 and a clutch 144.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show configuration in which two parallel window shades 150, 152 with respective clutches 154, 156 are mounted on the same bracket 104 and plate 230. Each of the shades can be operated on its own and can be replaced independently.

FIG. 11 shows bracket 104, plate 230 and adapter 140 supporting a clutch 160 for receiving a window dressing having a relatively large diameter.

FIG. 12 shows bracket 104 with a plate 170 and an adapter 171. Adapter 171 has two lateral horizontal pins 173 sized and shaped to receive and support the ends of a known motorized window shade (not shown) for supporting the pin end of a motorized window shade (not shown). In this figure, an intermediate support 172 is also shown that may be mounted on the wall, a window well, etc., and then couple to the fascia of the bracket system. This intermediate bracket is necessary for very long window dressings that may be too heavy to be supported by only two brackets and may sag in the middle.

FIG. 13 shows a bracket 104 with plate 170 and adapter 178 having three holes 173A aligned horizontally. This adapted is useful for supporting another line of known window dressings.

FIG. 14 shows details of the plate 170 used in FIGS. 12 and 13.

FIG. 15 shows details of a plate 180 for a different kind of clutch.

FIG. 16 shows a bracket 104 with a plate 180 for supporting a SOMFY ST-50 motor.

Numerous modifications may be made to the invention without departing from its scope as defined in the appended claims; 

1. A bracket system for mounting one of a first and a second window dressing on an architectural surface, said first window dressing terminating with a least a respective first end having a first configuration, said second window dressing terminating with a least a respective first end having a second configuration, said bracket system comprising: a bracket arranged and constructed to be mounted on the architectural surface, and having each having a base that is oriented substantially vertically when mounted; a first plate sized and shaped for selective attachment to said bracket, said first plate being adapted to receive said first end with said first configuration; and a second plate sized and shaped for selective attachment to said bracket, said second plate being adapted to receive said first end with said second configuration; wherein said bracket is adapted to support said first window dressing when said first plate is attached to said bracket, and wherein said bracket is adapted to support said second window dressing when said second plate is attached to said bracket.
 2. The bracket system of claim 1 wherein said bracket includes two side panels disposed in parallel to each other and said plates are formed with a dimension larger than a distance between said side panels, each of said plates forming an interference fit with said side panels when inserted between said side panels.
 3. The bracket system of claim 2 wherein each said plate includes a flat portion essentially parallel to said base when the respective plate is attached to said bracket.
 4. The bracket system of claim 1 wherein each plate is formed with an aperture having a size and shape selected to receive the respective first end.
 5. The bracket system of claim 4 wherein each plate has a respective flat section with said respective aperture.
 6. The bracket system of claim 1 wherein only one of said plates fit into said bracket at a time.
 7. The bracket system of claim 6 wherein each said plate forms an interference fit with said bracket.
 8. A bracket system for supporting an end of window dressings, the end having one of a first and a second configuration, comprising: a bracket having a base; a first plate including a plate element adapted to engage the end having said first configuration; and a second plate having another plate element to engage the end having said second configuration; wherein said first plate is inserted into said bracket to support window dressings having ends with said first configuration; and wherein said second plate is inserted into said bracket to support window dressings having ends with said second configuration.
 9. The bracket system of claim 8 wherein said bracket includes a plurality of lateral panels disposed at a panel distance from each other, said plates having a dimension larger than said panel distance for selectively engaging said lateral walls and forming an interference therewith thereby attaching the plate to the bracket.
 10. The bracket system of claim 9 wherein the respective plate is permanently attached to said bracket.
 11. The bracket system of claim 8 further comprising an adapter selectively attached to one of said plate, said adapter being configured to engage a window dressing end having a configuration incompatible with said plate.
 12. A method of customizing a bracket system for a window dressing having an end formed in one of several end configurations, comprising the steps of: providing two identical brackets having a flat base; selecting a first plate compatible with one end configuration; attaching said first plate to one of said brackets; selecting a second plate compatible with another end configuration; and installing said second plate into the other bracket.
 13. The method of claim 12 further comprising selecting an adapter if one of said plates is not compatible with one of said end configurations, said adapter being compatible and attaching said adapter to one of said first and second plates.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein said plates are press fit into said respective brackets. 